Find everything you need - local businesses, local events, local groups, local information

Tag: NHS

Walsall Healthwatch Want Your Views On Local Pharmacies

Walsall Healthwatch is conducting a survey of residents to help plan for the future of local pharmacies and understand the current challenges faced.

The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment can be completed online by Walsall residents or print versions are available in libraries and local pharmacies.

The deadline for completion is 25 February 2022.

Councillor Stephen Craddock, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “If you use your local pharmacy and live in Walsall, then please take a few minutes to answer some questions about your local pharmacies. 

“The results of the survey will directly help us and our NHS colleagues to shape the services provided by community pharmacies in the Borough to ensure they meet the needs of all residents.” 

Related News

 

Care Home Visitor Limits Lifted Today

Starting today, January 31, there are no limits to the number of visitors allowed into care homes in England.

old lady

However, visiting restriction may be put back in place should their be an outbreak of COVID.

Councillor Keir Pedley, Portfolio holder for Adult Social Care said,  

“Walsall care home providers are keen to remind families and friends that the safety of their residents remains their priority. They will continue to take a measured approach to receiving visitors in a safe way, following robust infection prevention measures and taking into account their specific circumstances.” 

“I would like to thank all care home staff in Walsall who continue to work incredibly hard to protect some of our most vulnerable residents through very challenging times. 

Stephen Gunther, Director of Public Health said,  

“I appreciate the emotional impact limited visitors has had on care home residents and their families as a result of the recent measures.  

“Whilst the rate of COVID-19 remains really high in Walsall, I would advise visitors to care homes to continue to be cautious. Continue to wear a face covering, wash their hands on entry and use hand sanitiser frequently and importantly if they feel unwell to stay at home and book a PCR test. 

“I encourage anyone that has not already had their COVID vaccinations and booster to make sure that they get them.” 

“These actions will not only help protect their loved ones but also the other residents in the care homes who are more vulnerable if they catch COVID-19.” 

New Walsall Medical Centre To Be Built By 2023

A new medical centre in Walsall costing £12.6 million to build will be complete by August 2023.

The former Challenge building situated on the corner of Hatherton Street and Hatherton Road has now been demolished and will be replaced by a three-story building housing four medical practices.

limes-doctors

The new building will host the Sycamore House Medical Centre, Lichfield Street Surgery, Saddlers Surgery and The Limes Medical Centre.

Featuring 54 consulting rooms, an optician, a pharmacy and a café, the centre expects to provide services to more than 25,000 patients.

Related News

Dementia Support In Sandwell Gets Welcome Boost

A new service has been launched in Sandwell to support those living with the effects of dementia.

old lady

Sandwell Community Dementia Service has been commissioned by Sandwell Council and the NHS Black Country & West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver the service.

The service comprises nine local voluntary sector organisations, with the lead provider being Crossroads Caring for Carers.

These service providers are;

  • Age UK Sandwell
  • Agewell CIC
  • Alzheimer’s Society
  • BUDS (Better Understanding of Dementia for Sandwell)
  • Dementia Pathfinders CIC
  • Murray Hall Community Trust
  • St Albans Community Association
  • West Bromwich Albion Caribbean Resource Centre

Councillor Suzzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for adults, social care and health, said: “Living with dementia or worries about your health can be very challenging and result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.

“Sandwell Community Dementia Service will work with individuals to seek a clear and early diagnosis of their condition, before delivering tailored interventions, helping people to make informed decisions about the support and care they receive.”

This service is also available to the families and carers of those living with dementia or a memory concern.

Referrals can be made by calling 0121 726 8543, or by emailing care.vn4m2@nhs.net.

Written by Craig Winyard.

Doctor’s Appointments Are Now Being Triaged

Black Country GP practises have changed the way they’re offering patient appointments.

census helps medical services

From immediate effect, all appointments are being triaged. This means that patients will be asked a series of questions in order to determine what type of appointment they should be given, whether it be via telephone, video or face-to-face.

The triage process will usually be conducted by a trained member of the practice team, including nurse practitioners and health care assistants.

A spokesman for the Black Country MHS Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Many GP practices now include a range of health professionals who can diagnose and treat health conditions. This ensures that patients see the right person at the right time.

“If it is most appropriate for patients to see a doctor, they will be offered an appointment with a GP. However, the GP isn’t always the best person to see.”

Related News

Walsall Council Reiterates Government’s COVID Plan B

The first phase of COVID Plan B, as announced by the government yesterday, starts today, 10 December.

covid vaccine

In response to the spread of the Omicron variant, the government has laid out a plan for the coming weeks, which includes mandatory face covering in most indoor settings, apart from the hospitality sector.

Starting from 13 December, the government is recommending people should work from home when they can, and from the 15 December, Covid passes showing a double vaccination or a negative Covid test, will be required to enter nightclubs and settings with large crowds. This covers:

  • Unseated indoor areas with 500 or more people
  • Unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more people
  • Any event with 10,000 or more attendees

Statement from Stephen Gunther, Director of Public Health, Walsall Council,

“The Plan B measures announced by the Government are needed and aim to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The new measures are important, as the UK Health Security Agency believes that the doubling rate of the Omicron variant is three days. This means that every three days, the number of COVID-19 cases in England will double.

“It is only a matter of time before the new variant arrives in Walsall. It is already prevalent in London and the South East and it is clear it will soon spread everywhere. With the virus spreading so fast, it means more people may require hospital treatment and this could overwhelm our local health services.

“We can reduce the number of cases, and pressure on the NHS, by ensuring as many people as possible have their first and second jabs and boosters. There are many places across Walsall where you can get your vaccine. You can either walk in or book an appointment online or by calling 119.

“Don’t forget the basics. If you have COVID-19 symptoms stay at home and book a PCR test and stay there until you have had your results, wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitiser when out and about, keep indoor spaces well ventilated. This means when you have friends or family to your home open your windows for just 10 minutes every hour as this will blow away the COVID-19 particles.

“I appreciate that everyone in Walsall has made huge sacrifices and I am asking you to continue to play your part. Please do all you can to keep yourself your family, friends and colleagues as safe as possible.”

Related News

Walsall Manor Hospital Seeks Response Volunteers

The Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is hiring ‘Response Volunteers’ to help support staff and out-patients at Walsall Manor Hospital.

walsall manor

The creation of Patient Involvement Partners will see volunteers play a key role in working alongside the Trust to meet and greet patients, assist with the video calling service to patients contacting loved ones and help to deliver documents and medicines throughout the hospital.

Garry Perry, Associate Director – Patient Relations & Experience, said the longer term aim was to set up a Patient Involvement Council which the partners will be instrumental in driving forward.

“This is an exciting and interesting opportunity that will allow the public to really get involved in their local services and help us better collaborate to represent all patients from all backgrounds and all communities,” he said.

“We’re looking for dependable, responsible people who are confident to express their views and are able to listen to and understand a variety of viewpoints. They will need to be able to read and process papers from relevant meetings and have clear written and verbal communication skills. We need people who are committed to the improvement of healthcare services and motivated to be part of any changes.

“We want partners to be able to contribute in face to face and virtual meetings – we will obviously follow COVID-19 guidance to minimise infection risk during the ongoing pandemic.

To find out more and apply for the role, please visit Walsall Healthcare Trust.

Related News

Patients With Skin Conditions To Benefit From Walsall Manor’s New UVA Machine

The latest UVA machine to help patients with a range of skin conditions has been installed at Walsall Manor Hospital’s Phototherapy department.

medisun 2800

NHS staff are delighted at the arrival of the latest technology for dermatology patients

Using UV light to slow skin cell production and reduce inflammation, the Medisun 2800 machine aims to treat patients who have skin conditions that haven’t improved with topical treatment.

This includes: Eczema, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, Nodular Prurigo and Lichen Planus.

Phototherapist Lisa Garrett said: “This will be a huge benefit to patients as it is a treatment which will improve their skin condition. If they can better control their skin without the need for regular topical creams, this will give patients a better quality of life. Some patients have reported improvement of their mental health and an increase in their self-confidence following successful clearance of their skin condition.”

The new equipment will also benefit the phototherapy staff too.

Lisa added: “The new phototherapy machine is the latest model in the market and intuitive to use. It incorporates the latest technology and needs less maintenance. This will enable us to provide safer and effective care.”

The team has received positive feedback from patients who have changed to the new machine:

“The new machine makes it quicker to achieve treatment dose so the duration for each treatment is shorter. This means I get to spend less time in the hospital so am able to carry on with my daily life and pay less parking charges too!”

Clinical Nurse Specialist Phototherapy Lead, Joy Hamilton said:

“Our old machine was 25 years old so it was overdue for an update and this new machine is fantastic!

“A lot of money has been invested in this which has really made us feel valued as a service.

“We work hard as a department to deliver safe and effective care and by purchasing this new equipment that is exactly what we are doing. It makes us proud to work here for the trust”.

Related News

Walsall Midwifery Unit Shuts Temporarily

The Walsall Midwifery Unit (MLU) is closing temporarily from 5pm today, Friday 6 August.

MLu

Expectant mothers planning to the use the facility will be given an alternative option, including use of the midwifery unit at New Cross Hospital.

Carla Jones-Charles, Divisional Director of Midwifery at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this temporary closure may cause.

“The safety of women and babies using our maternity services continues to be our number one priority. To do so we want to make sure we have the very best teams in the right place and are consolidating our services to ensure we continue to deliver high-quality, safe, birthing experiences.

“Any women already booked to deliver at the MLU within the next few weeks will be contacted to discuss their options.

“Antenatal and postnatal sessions will however continue as normal and mums-to-be should contact their community midwife if they have any concerns or questions.”

The Walsall Manor Hospital delivery suite is unaffected.

Diabetes Support Group Opens In Walsall

A new virtual peer support group for people affected by diabetes in Walsall will take place online every couple of months.

Set up by Healthwatch Walsall and Diabetes UK, the group will feature specialists offering advice and support on the condition, as well as giving those with diabetes the chance to share their stories and learn from other suffers in the local community.

Aileen Farrer, Manager Healthwatch Walsall said: “We know from talking to people in the community that supporting people living with Diabetes is so important. We got in touch with Diabetes UK and the Specialist Diabetes Nurses at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to talk about setting up a peer support group locally. So far it’s been a great success and we look forward to meeting even more people and helping to offer the support that people said they needed.”

Donna Chaloner, Lead for Community Diabetes Services for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said: “We are really pleased we have been able to set up this group in response to learning more from what matters most to our service users and they have given us really useful insights into how we can help improve care in Walsall. Prevention is a key priority for the Walsall Together partnership and this is a great example of how we are raising awareness of what people can do to better manage their Diabetes and supporting them to learn more about how they can take better care of themselves.

Shaleen Sandhu, Volunteer Coordinator for Diabetes Uk West Midlands, said: “We are really delighted to be working with Healthwatch Walsall and Walsall Together to bring this much-needed diabetes support group to the area. Living with diabetes or supporting someone with the condition every day can be hard at times, but sharing your experiences with others who understand can really help. I encourage anyone who is living with or affected by diabetes in Walsall to join one of the sessions as alongside peer support, they will also offer expert advice on a range of subjects which will help you manage the condition well.”

The next meeting is set up for 28 July at 11am. For further information, contact Healthwatch Walsall on 0800 470 1660 or email info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk